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Smithson - Answered a Question by Palmer (24 Sep 07 09:06)

I am surprised you book a cruise without knowing these basics...'Anytime' means you go to the dininig room and eat dinner when you want. You can either sit with other guests or request a table by yourselves. It is unlike 'traditional dining' where you are allocated a table and a dining time and that is where you sit all week. I prefer Anytime dining. There is another website which you are not allowed to mention here that will give you all the info you need. It has the words cruise and critic in it.

Hi,we are on the sea princess in july for the first time and if you search sea princess photos on google.com fantastic reviews e.t.c. are there to view along with some fantastic photos of inside the ship.

Thanks to Smithson, Crowson for your reply. In fact I have read up on the basics and asked questions but I don't find the brochures clear in stating "sit down waiter service" which is what we would like, but when we are ready. I have read comments that there are often queues for tables so "Anytime" does not always work because you might have to wait over an hour for a table.

We went on the Sea Princess for our first cruise (to the Med)this August and I can't rate it highly enough! We had a fantastic time! We chose traditional dining, first sitting, and were very plesaed with our choice. There were often queues for Anytime but I understand it is more convenient if you have children. The buffet (Horizon Court) was excellent and attention to the use of hand gels was scrupulous so no problem with bugs to my knowledge. You can however eat all your meals in the dining rooms with waiter service - or visit the Italian restaurant for pizza, pasta etc - again waiter service. Breakfast in the dining rooms is rather slow but very nice. We tried it all. The only dining event to pay for is the Sterling Steakhouse. We felt no need to visit this as steak was available every night in the dinding room - ice cream sundaes are also chargeable.I am sure you have not made an expensive mistake - if you are as lucky as us you will have the holiday of a lifetime.

We had a wonderful cruise on the Sea Princess to the Med in June this year. Anytime dining is in one of the two main restaurants (not the buffet) and I think the earlier you go the less queues there are likely to be. We also had several breakfasts and lunches in the main restaurant (as opposed to the buffet) which was all waiter service and excellent. We found the buffet to be not quite as hot unless you waited for something to be grilled. We also ate in the pizzaria although the menu was restricted to pizzas and lasagne. the only extra charge was for the Steakhouse in the evening. But why go there when you can dine anytime in the restaurant with quite an extensive menu. Five courses if you could eat it!!! We only managed three!